Accident on Interstate 40 in Roane County tied up traffic for hours on Friday. (Source: Kyle Grainger, WVLT)

ROCKWOOD MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Tennessee Department of Transportation says after hundreds of thousands of dollars in safety improvements to Interstate 40 in Roane County, the road is safer for travelers.

TDOT says they studied Interstate 40 from Mile Marker 340 to 346 and found dips in the road, and steep grades. Spokesperson Mark Nagi says in the past 5 years crashes are down as a result of several projects.

"There was a dip in the pavement and some uneven pavement there. So there's been some milling that's taken place, they've brought in more asphalt to try and kind of even out that area," said Nagi. "I think TDOT has done a good job of lessening the crashes in that area."

Truck drivers on Interstate 40 say they've noticed a difference in the roadway.

"They've made a huge difference," said Joey Wilder, a truck driver. "Took out the concrete walls and repaved the road. Still needs a little work just before you start down the mountain. Lots of pot holes, but other than that huge improvement."

TDOT says they've made many improvements in the past 5 years. The number of crashes has gone from 103 in 2005 to 33 in 2010.

Roane County officials still advise people to slow down and pay attention to the warning signs in the area before starting up or down the mountain.